I have tried valiantly over the past thirty plus years to enjoy winter, to no avail. The thought of warmer weather heralding Spring helps me tolerate the long cold nights, the freezing days, the snow, ice and freezing rain. I persevere, I try to be patient because I know that Spring always follow Winter.
When the first signs of Spring appear in the form of hardy flowers in my garden, I celebrate. I feel a sense of anticipation and excitement as I plan my garden. I have the irresistible urge to share the good news with others. I could literally dance.
This Caribbean girl is impatient for the warmer weather so she can spend time outdoors in her garden, her place of solace.When the temperature reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above, I venture out to seek the reassuring signs that Spring is here.
I realize that even though the temperature still varies widely, the plants are responding in anticipation. The perennials peep through the thawing soil and daffodils, ever so anxious to be first rush to bloom. They are outdone by the Crocus (Ruby Giant) and the Creeping Myrtle (Vinca Minor), at least in my garden. The Candytuft Iberis is following right behind with new blooms not quite ready but promising an eye-catching array of snow-white petals in a few short weeks.
One of my DAFFODIL plants nestles beneath a red Japanese Maple tree, able to outdo it’s daffodil siblings by producing the first blooms.
The CROCUS (Ruby Giant) displays its stunning color against a back drop of brown and gray stones. Not only has it positioned itself in the minuscule space between those stones but it has managed to outdo its counterparts in the beauty of its blooms.
The CREEPING MYRTLE (Vinca Minor) is my favorite ground cover. Not only is it hardy and requires minimal maintenance, it is easy to control. After dealing with groundcover that took years to get rid of, the creeping myrtle is a breeze.
CANDYTUFT IBERIS usually blooms in mid-April with a luxuriant, eye-catching array of flowers. The white blooms almost obliterate the tiny green leaves which maintain the beauty of the plant during most of the year.